Chapter 608: Absolute Rationality, a Brand New Tang Song

5:00 PM.

Lanfeng International Hotel, 23rd floor.

Inside the private dressing room of the banquet hall, the air was permeated with a mixture of high-end cosmetics and fragrance.

Xiao Jing sat on a soft vanity chair, letting two top-tier stylists make the final adjustments to her hair and makeup.

She wore that haute couture gown specially air-freighted from Paris; the tiny diamonds on the dress refracted a brilliant and mesmerizing light under the soft illumination.

Nearby, Xu Qing had also finished changing and was facing the mirror, adjusting her hemline with some unease.

"Knock, knock, knock—" A knock sounded at the door.

"Please come in."

Immediately after, the banquet butler, dressed in a black professional suit, walked in.

He said softly, "Miss Tian, the venue has been set up, and the reception hall on the west side is also ready. You may prepare to move over."

"Got it, thank you."

Subsequently, the makeup artist stopped their work and followed the butler out.

Xiao Jing flashed a sweet smile at the mirror and turned her head to look at Xu Qing.

She smiled slyly, "Sister Qingqing, today is my birthday, you know. You mustn't fight over Brother Tang Song with me."

"Oh, I know." Xu Qing pouted.

She felt that the reason Xiao Jing insisted on having her come over was out of a perverse sense of "NTR" humor, and to assert her sovereignty, establishing her status as the

"Main Palace."

But Tang Song still had people like Shangguan Qiuya and Wen Ruan around him.

And a whole mess of other things in the future.

She was too lazy (and didn't dare) to get involved. Xiao Jing smiled sweetly, stepped forward to take Xu Qing's hand, and suddenly lowered her voice:

"Don't be unhappy. We will be best sisters for life. In the future, we will share the same 'treasure,' possessing the deepest bond~ the deepest bond. Who knows—perhaps in the future, we will even be on the same King Size bed, 'playing' together. Don't you think?"

"Ah! You—you pervert! Don't talk nonsense!"

Xu Qing's face turned beet red instantly, as if scalded, and she shook off Xiao Jing's hand as if electrocuted.

Watching her cute, shy, and angry appearance, Xiao Jing let out a wicked "hehe" laugh, the light in her eyes becoming increasingly sly.

The two played around for a while before walking out of the dressing room together.

Accompanied by two staff members, they passed through the internal corridor and arrived at the "Star Language Hall" located on the west side of the banquet hall.

The space here was decorated more in the style of a fashion party, with a small jazz band playing light Bossa

Nova music at the entrance corridor.

The exquisite dessert area was filled with appetizers like caviar tarts and truffle fries, along with colorful non-alcoholic cocktails mixed on-site by a celebrity bartender.

Two specially invited top fashion photographers were holding their "long guns and short cannons," capturing wonderful moments in the venue.

Xiao Jing pointed at the photographers and said to Xu Qing, "Sister Qingqing, you're so beautiful today, it would be a pity not to take a few photos. These photographers have shot big spreads for magazines; the results definitely won't be any worse than those artistic portraits of yours."

With the high-end luxurious environment, the custom-made Chanel gown, the dazzling jewelry accessories, and the perfect hair and makeup—for Xu Qing, who already loved Cosplay and frequently shot various portraits, how could she withstand such temptation?

"Fine then." Xu Qing demurely tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, trying hard to suppress her excitement, though it was already uncontainable in her eyes.

Soon, the photographers were in position.

The lights focused, and Xu Qing stood under the crystal chandelier of the reception hall, chin slightly raised, instantly entering her state and striking a pose that was both sexy and aggressive.

"Click—"

The flash went off, freezing this moment of beauty.

"Ding—" The elevator slowly stopped on the 23rd floor.

A group of five well-dressed young men and women walked out one after another, led by a hotel waiter.

The carpet underfoot was thick and soft, and the entire floor was so quiet that only the faint sound of jazz music from afar could be heard.

After turning two corners, a huge three-dimensional welcome poster came into their view.

Near the entrance of the corridor, there was also a sign-in desk surrounded by gorgeous white flower garlands, champagne-colored balloons, and star-shaped light strips.

Two receptionists in elegant gowns were smiling and waiting there.

Qin Hua stopped and said to her friends with a smile, "This is the place. Xiao Jing's family invited quite a few people this year, including some of her elders, so the setup is a bit more grand than in previous years."

The friends beside her nodded one after another, smiling and echoing:

"Not bad, Jingjing's style is increasingly looking like a female lead!"

"This poster design is really good; I'll have to find this company to make one for me later."

The group chatted and arrived at the sign-in desk, showing their invitations to the staff.

After verifying the information, the staff smiled and asked them to leave their names in the exquisite sign-in book.

They also registered the gifts each of them had prepared.

The receptionist introduced with a sweet voice, "Also, tonight's party has a 'masquerade' theme. Please choose a mask you like here. Of course, this is entirely up to the preferences of our distinguished guests and is not mandatory."

As she spoke, she pointed to a velvet wall nearby displaying dozens of half-face masks.

The group let out a small exclamation and began to choose with great interest.

After putting on their chosen masks, the group, accompanied by two greeters also wearing simple silver masks, walked into the gorgeous "Star Language Hall."

At a glance, they saw the most dazzling "protagonist" in the crowd, Tian Jing.

Tian Jing wore a luxurious champagne-colored sequined evening gown, the slim cut perfectly outlining her exquisite figure.

The dress was covered in tiny sequins, which flowed with dreamlike luster under the light with her every subtle movement.

Her cold white skin, set off by the champagne-colored long dress, appeared even more translucent like jade.

Radiant, elegant, and sexy.

"Xiao Jing, happy birthday!"

"Jingjing, long time no see! Happy Birthday!"

"Wow, our big birthday girl is simply stunning today!"

The group said while smiling and walking toward her.

"Huahua, you're here!"

"Xinxin, I missed you to death!"

"Brother Cheng, you're even more handsome!"

Xiao Jing's face bloomed with a bright, sweet smile, and she enthusiastically greeted them one by one.

Subsequently, she affectionately pulled over Xu Qing, who was standing beside her wearing a fox mask.

"Come, come, let me introduce you. This is my good friend, Xu Qing. Qingqing, this is Qin Hua I mentioned to you, and this is Zhang Yuxin—they are all my best friends!"

"Hello, Qingqing."

"Hello there, this outfit is too hot!"

"Hello, hello..."

The group immediately began to exchange pleasantries enthusiastically.

Just then, another burst of laughter came from the entrance.

Liang Yufan, Li Junyi, and several other former colleagues of Tian Jing from Jinxiu Trading also walked in, wearing various masks.

They were also local rich second-generation kids from Yancheng, and they had all met Qin Hua and the others, some even knowing each other.

Only now, hidden behind the masks, there was an added sense of strangeness and mystery.

"Don't talk, let me guess who you are. Junyi? Haha, I'd recognize this flashy vibe of yours even if you were turned to ash!"

"Hey, hey, hey, Big Miss Zhang, give me some face, will you? This is called fashion taste!"

"Hello, Brother Yufan, long time no see."

"Yo, not bad, you can recognize me even like this?"

For a time, the side hall was filled with laughter and guesses about each other's identities, the atmosphere lively and extraordinary.

After the lively greetings.

Li Junyi leaned over to Xiao Jing and asked curiously, "By the way, Xiao Jing, hasn't Qi Wen come yet?"

Xiao Jing shook her head and explained, "Jinxiu Trading just had that big news about the cross-border business, right? As the business head, Sister Wen is currently on a business trip in the Imperial Capital with her team and won't be back for a while."

Zhang Yuxin suddenly bumped Xiao Jing's shoulder and gossiped, "Xiao Jing, I only heard from Huahua this morning—you actually got off the market?! When did this happen? You hid it too well! And—I heard it's a colleague from your previous company?"

She and Xiao Jing had been friends for many years, and this was the first time she had heard of her dating.

As soon as these words were spoken, the previously lively atmosphere quieted down a bit.

Only Xu Qing, with her big dark eyes rolling around, put on a "none of my business" posture of watching the drama.

Xiao Jing still had that sweet smile on her face, raising the champagne glass in her hand, her tone carrying just the right amount of shyness and happiness: "He is a very good person; I'll formally introduce him to you all later."

In the eyes hidden behind Liang Yufan's mask, a trace of imperceptible gloom flashed by.

When he first went to great lengths to enter Jinxiu Trading, one of his goals was to have the advantage of proximity and cultivate feelings with Xiao Jing.

As a result, not only did she get together with the company's grassroots CTO, but she also jumped ship directly later, causing all his plans to fall through. However, now that Tian Chengye's side was a mess and he had sold his shares in Jinxiu Trading, he didn't have much heart for it anymore.

It was just that he was still very unwilling.

After all, the two had known each other since childhood, and this feeling was like being NTR'd by a yellow-haired guy who suddenly jumped out.

It was very stifling.

Qin Hua's eyes flickered, and she said with a smile, "Then why hasn't your mysterious 'boyfriend' come yet? On such an important occasion as a girlfriend's birthday party, as the male lead, he hasn't shown his face yet—isn't that a bit unjustifiable?"

Xiao Jing said unhurriedly, "There's still more than half an hour before the official start, what's the rush? For his girlfriend's birthday, he naturally has to prepare well and give me a big surprise."

Qin Hua smiled and didn't say anything more.

Her father, Qin Dechang, was currently in another VIP hall, chatting with Tian Chengye and others.

Later, Lin Jingming and Meng Chuan would also arrive one after another.

At that time, when Tang Song comes, facing such a scene—heh, it will truly be an interesting "big drama."

"Buzz, buzz—" The phone in her clutch vibrated.

Xiao Jing picked up the phone to look, her eyes lighting up.

【Song: "I've already set off, I'll be there in a while."】

She quickly replied with a cute emoji.

Xiao Jing walked out of the crowd elegantly and came to the side of the hotel banquet manager who was coordinating the scene.

She said softly, "Manager Liu, my boyfriend will be here soon. Could I trouble you to personally go to the lobby to receive him?"

Manager Liu was slightly startled, then a warm smile immediately piled up on his face: "Of course, Miss Tian's friend is our most distinguished guest. Please tell me the other party's information and license plate number so I can make arrangements."

Xiao Jing blinked her eyes. "You should recognize him; his name is Tang Song."

"Uh—" The professional smile on Manager Liu's face froze instantly, his pupils dilated uncontrollably, and his voice even wavered slightly. "You—you are referring to—Chairman Tang?"

"Mm-hmm, that's right. Sorry to trouble you."

"Ah! Okay! Okay! Don't you worry! I'll be right over!"

Manager Liu bowed solemnly, turned quickly, and hurried toward the entrance while pulling out his walkie-talkie.

Tian Jing was actually the boss's girlfriend, and she was coming over in person to celebrate her birthday.

This was a major event! He had to notify the executive level immediately!

Watching his frantic, hair-on-fire reaction, a flash of cunning amusement crossed the bottom of Xiao Jing's eyes.

This was exactly the effect she wanted!

This place was, after all, the home turf of Lord Tang Song.

For the big boss behind the Lanfeng International Hotel to make an appearance, personally welcomed by the hotel's general manager and perhaps even surrounded by all the executives—this level of "prestige" was enough to bring sufficient shock the very first second he appeared.

Her friends, to put it bluntly, were all second-generation rich kids born with silver spoons in their mouths.

Even the outstanding ones, like Ni Qingli, Qin Hua, and Liang Yufan, were at best "heirs-apparent" currently learning how to take over assets under the protection of their families.

But Tang Song was a self-made billionaire who had single-handedly founded a fortune of hundreds of millions; he was no worse than that Lin Jingming.

After this opening show ended, there was still the grand finale appearance of Shangguan Qiuya, and even Zheng Qiudong.

With them present, even when facing that Young Master Meng from Singapore, Tang Song would not be at a disadvantage.

Although it didn't reach the shocking effect she had originally envisioned, it was enough.

Everything was proceeding perfectly according to the script she had written.

Lord Tang Song, get ready to enter the stage Xiao Jing has prepared for you!

I will let you spend the most unforgettable birthday party, and then—I will put on my most beautiful dress and be with you, at the pinnacle of this city.

To complete the most important "ritual" of our lives.

6:00 PM.

Night fell, and the bright lights began to shine.

A black Rolls-Royce Phantom glided silently across the dedicated lane and stopped steadily under the magnificent canopy at the hotel's main entrance.

Led by the hotel's general manager, Qiao Anji, a group of four hotel executives quickly hurried over.

The doorman respectfully opened the rear car door.

A polished tobacco-brown Berluti leather shoe landed on the ground first.

Immediately following, a tall and straight figure stepped out of the car with composure.

The Patek Philippe 5961P watch on his wrist shimmered brilliantly under the hotel's dazzling lights.

"Chairman Tang!" "Chairman Tang!"

Qiao Anji stepped forward, his voice somewhat cautious: "Chairman Tang, we weren't aware before that Miss Tian was your girlfriend, and there is a matter we haven't reported to you."

He then briefly and concisely explained the matter of the Echo girl group's flash mob performance.

Because another shareholder, Yunxi Real Estate, had come forward, the hotel was cooperating fully.

Moreover, for Lanfeng International Hotel, this was also a major promotional benefit that might trigger a wave of influencer check-ins.

After listening to his report.

Tang Song nodded slightly. "It's fine, I understand."

Only then did Qiao Anji breathe a sigh of relief and immediately lead the way.

Just as they walked into the magnificent hotel lobby.

A crisp notification sound rang out instantly:

"Ding! Special event instance 【Tian Jing's Birthday Party】 has been activated!"

【Permission activated...】

【"Tang Song's Reflection" has taken effect.】

Tang Song's footsteps faltered, and he stopped in his tracks.

The next second, a strange feeling, impossible to describe in words, instantly swept through his entire body!

He felt as if his consciousness had been split in two.

One part remained the "Real Tang Song"—the one with seven emotions and six desires, who would be nervous, would have expectations, and would find everything that followed interesting.

And the other part was instantly extracted and elevated to a higher dimension of absolute calmness and absolute rationality.

The world before him looked different in his eyes.

The movements of everyone around him seemed to have been adjusted to slow motion.

The tension and calculations hidden beneath the respectful smiles on the faces of the hotel executives; the gazes full of shock and speculation cast by the guests in the distance...

He could "see" the emotional fluctuations of every person, could "hear" their true inner thoughts, and could "calculate" the actions they were most likely to take next.

Thoughts flowed through his mind at an unprecedented speed.

Countless ideas emerged like stars, only to be easily captured, categorized, and analyzed.

Some business questions that had accumulated in the past suddenly became clear in an instant.

In the blink of an eye, he even reconstructed the cash flow model for Lanfeng International Hotel, deduced the brand strategy for Songmei Apparel after Double Eleven, evaluated the true asset value of the Yannan Film Base, and found a more reasonable direction for the upcoming acquisition case of Rongliu Capital. Secretary Jin, Su Yu, Ouyang Xianyue, Wu Kezhi, Anne Kate—everyone's personality, strengths, flaws, abilities, and character were quietly displayed in his mind palace like clear character cards.

All information flowed calmly and orderly in his mind like a data stream.

However, this was not complete "divinity."

Beneath the absolute rationality and coldness, he could still feel the heartbeat of the "Real Tang Song," which was accelerating slightly because he was about to see Xiao Jing, and could feel that true emotional temperature that belonged to him.

Tang Song gently closed his eyes, feeling the "Player Tang Song" with 99 points of charm in the game, and realized an unprecedented touch.

The two consciousnesses merged perfectly at this moment.

The absolute rationality of the "Reflection" draped a special shell of "divinity" over the "Real Tang Song."

He became a brand-new self.

The executives around him saw the boss's movements suddenly pause and immediately stopped their own footsteps.

No one dared to ask, just waiting quietly on the spot.

It was only for a fleeting moment.

Tang Song raised his eyelids again.

His already deep eyes became even more profound and heavy.

The faint, gentle smile on his handsome face completely vanished, replaced by an indescribable coldness and composure.

He clearly hadn't done anything or said anything, yet he radiated an invisible, powerful aura that made the surrounding air seem to grow heavy.